The rationing that took place during World War II (1939–45) seriously affected fashion in America for the first half of the decade. Even though businesses were prospering and people were finding more jobs and making more money than they had during the Depression of the 1930s, the country's newfound wealth could not be spent on fashion. Supplies of wool, cotton, linen, rayon, silk, and nylon that would have made fashionable attire were diverted to the war effort for uniforms, parachutes, and other supplies. The government even determined the maximum amount of fabric that could be used to make dresses (three-quarters of a yard) and tried to discourage fashion from shifting enough to spur interest in buying anything but the necessary attire.

Government restrictions and the limited supplies of fabric effectively froze fashion styles for women at 1939 looks. Without silk stockings, women either shaved their legs and drew a...